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To investigate the diagnostic performance of 70-kVp stress dynamic myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) as a low-dose, one-stop cardiac CT examination in clinical application.

Consecutive symptomatic patients were prospectively recruited and scanned with stress dynamic myocardial CTP. The CTP phase with the best enhancement of the coronary arteries was selected and extracted as the CTP-derived single-phase coronary CT angiography (SP-CTA). The diagnostic performance of CTP and CTP+SP-CTA for functionally significant CAD was assessed. Invasive coronary angiography and fractional flow reserve were used as the reference standard for the myocardial ischemia evaluation.

In total, 71 patients (43 men and 28 women; 63.6 ± 8.8years old) underwent the stress dynamic myocardial CTP; 63 vessels (36.2%) from 42 of the patients (59.2%) were identified as causing ischemia. On a per-vessel basis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy for CTP and CTP+SP-CTA were 77.8%, 93.7%, 87.5%, 88.1%, and 87.9% lly significant CAD. • CTP-derived single-phase CCTA improved the diagnostic value of CTP. • The combined use of low-dose CTP and CTP-derived CCTA at 70 kVp is clinically feasible for CAD patients who need to receive a myocardial perfusion assessment.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of bolus-tracking ROI positioning on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) image quality.

In this retrospective monocentric study, all patients had undergone CCTA by step-and-shoot mode to rule out coronary artery disease within a cohort at intermediate risk. Two groups were formed, depending on ROI positioning (left atrium (LA) or ascending aorta (AA)). Each group contained 96 patients. To select pairs of patients, propensity score matching was used. Image quality with regard to coronary arteries as well as pulmonary arteries was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative scores.

In terms of the coronary arteries, there was no significant difference between both groups using quantitative (SNR AA 14.92 vs. 15.46; p = 0.619|SNR LM 19.80 vs. 20.30; p = 0.661|SNR RCA 24.34 vs. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/cay10603.html 24.30; p = 0.767) or qualitative scores (4.25 vs. 4.29; p = 0.672), respectively. With regard to pulmonary arteries, we found significantly higher quantitative (SNR RPA 8.70s. • ROI positioning in the left atrium is feasible to perform triple-rule-out CTA.

The current LR-5 criteria of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) determined by only major features provide high specificity, but unsatisfactorily low sensitivity for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to identify significant ancillary features (AFs) in LI-RADS version 2018 and develop the upgraded LR-5 criteria to improve diagnostic performance on gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

This retrospective study included 280 patients (366 observations including 281 HCCs) at high-risk for HCC who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI between 2015 and 2017. Two readers evaluated major features and AFs for each observation and assigned a LI-RADS category. Independently significant AFs were identified through logistic regression analysis. Upgraded LR-5 criteria were developed by combining independently significant AFs with LR-4 assigned by major features alone. Sensitivities and specificities of the diagnostic criteria were compared usit AFs were upgraded to LR-5, sensitivities were higher than the standard LR-5, without impairing specificity. • Independently significant ancillary features in Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2018 may be used to upgrade from LR-4 to LR-5 to improve sensitivity without impairing specificity on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI.

• Independently significant AFs for HCC on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI were mild-moderate T2 hyperintensity, hepatobiliary phase hypointensity, nonenhancing "capsule," and mosaic architecture. • When LR-4 criteria by major features alone in combination with significant AFs were upgraded to LR-5, sensitivities were higher than the standard LR-5, without impairing specificity. • Independently significant ancillary features in Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2018 may be used to upgrade from LR-4 to LR-5 to improve sensitivity without impairing specificity on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI.

Harmonic instruments are becoming popular in head and neck surgeries. In this prospective, randomized study, the efficacy of the harmonic instruments and electrosurgical technique is compared.

A total of 48 patients undergoing unilateral neck dissection were divided into two groups. In one group, surgery was performed using conventional hemostatic instruments while in the other, only harmonic instruments were used. The two techniques were then compared with regard to intra- and post-operative blood loss, complications in operating time, drain, tracheotomy and nasogastric tube duration, and post-operative hospital stay.

Differences in operative time (P = 0.647), total suction drainage (P = 0.362) and time that drains (P = 0.404), nasogastric tube (P = 0.378), and tracheotomy (P = 0.052) were kept in place and proved not significant. The average blood loss during surgery was significantly greater in the CH group (P = 0.003) as the number of hemoclips and resorbable ligature used (P = 0.002).

In contrast

This study aimed to determine changes in FDG-PET/CT after pleurodesis with OK-432 and to investigate differences in the changes between non-malignant and malignant lesions.

Study participants were 17 patients with a history of malignant chest disease who underwent FDG-PET/CT after pleurodesis using OK-432 and in whom pleural lesions were determined to be non-malignant (n = 8) or malignant (n = 9). FDG uptake (SUV

) was counted on all pleural lesions. CT findings (CT attenuation, shape) of pleural lesions with increased FDG uptake were evaluated.

The number of patients with increased FDG uptake in the pleura differed significantly between the non-malignant group (3/8) and malignant group (9/9) (p < 0.01) The mean SUV

of non-malignant lesions with increased FDG uptake was 2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 6.2 ± 2.2 in malignant lesions, for a significant difference (p < 0.01). The mean CT attenuation of lesions was 36 ± 11 HU in the non-malignant group and 34 ± 14 HU in the malignant group, a difference that was not significant (p = 0.91). There was a significant difference in nodular and linear shapes between non-malignant and malignant lesions (p < 0.01). All non-malignant lesions were linear.

Positive FDG uptake was shown in non-malignant pleural lesions as well as in malignant pleural lesions after pleurodesis using OK-432. Combined analysis of FDG accumulation and CT morphology is helpful to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions.

Positive FDG uptake was shown in non-malignant pleural lesions as well as in malignant pleural lesions after pleurodesis using OK-432. Combined analysis of FDG accumulation and CT morphology is helpful to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important regulator for lipid accumulation, potentially known to have an inhibitory role in lipid synthesis. It inactivates acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), an important regulatory enzyme required for lipid synthesis. However, in Mucor circinelloides, AMPK and its association with lipid accumulation has not been studied yet.

To identify AMPK genes in M. circinelloides and to compare their expression levels in high and low lipid-producing strains of M. circinelloides to predict the possible roles of AMPK in lipid metabolism and to select candidate genes for further studies to enhance lipid accumulation.

Two genes for α-subunit, one for β-subunit and six for γ-subunit were identified and annotated. Bioinformatic analysis confirmed the presence of typical conserved domains in these genes. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling displayed marked differences in expression kinetics of subunits among the selected strains. The expression of AMPK genes decreased rapidly in WJ11, high lipid producer strain during the lipid accumulation phase while contrasting profile of expression was observed in CBS 277.49, low lipid producer strain.

The present study has shown the association of AMPK genes with lipid metabolism at the transcriptional level. The involvement of Snf-α1, Snf-α2, Snf-β, Snf-γ1, Snf-γ4, Snf-γ5 subunits were shown to be more pronounced and could potentially be further explored in future studies.

The present study has shown the association of AMPK genes with lipid metabolism at the transcriptional level. The involvement of Snf-α1, Snf-α2, Snf-β, Snf-γ1, Snf-γ4, Snf-γ5 subunits were shown to be more pronounced and could potentially be further explored in future studies.The actual Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19) pandemic is due to Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a member of the coronavirus family. Besides the respiratory involvement, COVID 19 patients frequently develop a pro-coagulative state caused by virus-induced endothelial dysfunction, cytokine storm and complement cascade hyperactivation. It is common to observe diffuse microvascular thrombi in multiple organs, mostly in pulmonary microvessels. Thrombotic risk seems to be directly related to disease severity and worsens patients' prognosis. Therefore, the correct understanding of the mechanisms underlying COVID-19 induced prothrombotic state can lead to a thorough assessment of the possible management strategies. Hence, we review the pathogenesis and therapy of COVID 19-related thrombosis disease, focusing on the available evidence on the possible treatment strategies and proposing an algorithm for the anticoagulation strategy based on disease severity.Curricular design that addresses residency physician competencies in communication skills and professionalism remains a challenge. Graphic Medicine (GM) uses comics, a medium combining text and images, to communicate healthcare concepts. Narrative Medicine, in undergraduate medical education, has limited reported usage in Graduate Medical Education (GME). Given the time constraints and intensity of GME, we hypothesized that comics as a form of narrative medicine would be an efficient medium to engage residents.The authors created a novel curriculum to promote effective communication and professionalism, focusing on empathy, compassion and cultural competency. A four-week curriculum was delivered in a neurology residency program. Excerpts from non-fiction graphic memoirs about neurological conditions were read, discussed, and paired with prompt-driven drawing exercises. Qualitative surveys were used to assess acceptability of comics, usefulness of comics to convey patient illness experience, and perception of patient needs for physician-patient communication.Ninety-seven percent of residents reported the sessions were a good use of their time. Residents identified new symptoms of neurologic disorders, articulated patient communication needs, and expressed increased empathy after participation. Residents participated in drawing exercises, but these were not formally analyzed. Graphic medicine is a well received format that may build communication skills and increase empathy.